Louisiana State University women’s basketball team head coach Kim Mulkey stirred controversy as fans observed her team leave the court when the national anthem was about to play.
However, Mulkey’s excuse failed to save her and her team, as they lost to the Iowa Hawkeyes with a 94-87 score.
However, even before the game started, fans observed and wondered where the Lady Tigers were.
In a press conference, Mulkey reasoned that it was unintentional and had no idea that the anthem would be played and that it has been their pre-game routine to leave the court 12 minutes before tip-off.
“Honestly, I don’t even know when the anthem was played,” she explained.
“We kind of have a routine where we are on the floor and then they come off at the 12-minute mark. I don’t know. We come in and we do our pre-game stuff. I’m sorry. Listen, that’s nothing intentionally done.”
Fans praised the Iowa Hawkeyes for standing during the Star-Spangled Banner, while Mulkey’s team opted to stay in the locker room.
Meanwhile, the university defended the Lady Tigers and said: “Our basketball programs have not been on the court for the anthem for the last several seasons. Usually, the anthem is played 12 minutes before the game when the team is in the locker room doing final preparations.”
Social media users also took to X and slammed LSU for disrespecting the national anthem.
Chad Prather tweeted “LU women’s basketball team “missed” the National Anthem at last night’s game. They also missed advancing to the next round.”
“Tonight, I am an Iowa fan,” remarked Addison Smith.
Benny Johnson also reacted and said, “Let this be a lesson to all players: the cringy, selfish woke athlete moment is OVER.”
“They are a disgrace and should be kicked off the team!” remarked The Raging Patriot co-founder Nicholas Pagnotta.
Vince Langman hit Kim Mulkey’s excuse and said, “Hey guys, the always angry LSU coach Kim Mulkey wants everyone to know that her team of anti-American thugs wasn’t being disrespectful to the National Anthem because she has no idea when the Anthem is played.”
“LSU coach Kim Mulkey says her team leaving the court for the National Anthem is just one big misunderstanding,” says Collin Rugg.
“Big round of applause goes out to the Iowa women’s basketball team for doing the right thing and standing up for the National Anthem and then wiping the floor with those leftist b*tches from LSU,” shared an X user.
